Jeff Bridges and David Crosby at the Lobero Theatre

A Fundraiser of Mighty Proportions Took Place on Thursday, March 28

If you’ve so much as stepped inside the Lobero Theatre, you understand its charm. Standing tall on the corner of Canon Perdido and Anacapa streets, the more-than-100-year-old venue is home to some of the warmest acoustics, intricate period details, and welcoming staff this town has to offer. It’s no wonder, then, that the theater’s ongoing Encore: Lobero campaign to raise funds for renovations has been met with more than a few generous and willing co-conspirators.

On Thursday night, Encore reached its climax with the help of two of S.B.’s finest: Jeff Bridges and David Crosby. Taking to the stage at just past 8 p.m., Bridges and The Abiders (guitarist Chris Pelonis, bassist Randy Tico, drummer Tom Lackner, keyboardist Bill Flores) turned out a fun-loving and great-sounding collection of Americana and folk tunes, including most of the cuts from Crazy Heart and Lebowski classics like Bob Dylan’s “The Man in Me” and John Fogerty’s “Lookin’ Out My Back Door.” As expected, most of the night’s fun came in between songs, when Bridges loveably acknowledged his bandmates, the theater, and his not-so-surprise guest, Crosby, whom he paired up with for “Teach Your Children.”

After a brief intermission, Crosby returned sans band to deliver a somber mini-set of new tracks, cracking wise about The Eagles — and not playing the hits — as he went along. Luckily, The Abiders were waiting in the wings to bring things back up a notch and finished the night on a high note, both for the Lobero and for Santa Barbara at large.